Billy Graham (New Zealand boxer)

William Neil Graham MNZM (born 1947/1948)[1] born in Naenae, New Zealand was the winner of four New Zealand titles at light welterweight, plus an Australasian title and the Jamieson Belt.

Billy Graham
MNZM
Statistics
Weight(s)Light-welterweight
Born1947/1948 (age 71–72)
Naenae, New Zealand

Trained by the legendary Dick Dunn, Billy's amateur career was outstanding. Billy didn't turn pro but in the late 1960s Bob Jones wrote the following about young Billy:

Wellington boxing fans should mark down young Billy Graham in the back of their minds as a future professional champion who will fill their Town Hall, for the Hutt Valley boxer is showing all the signs of following in the footsteps of two post-war greats in Barry Brown and Manuel Santos. At 18, Billy Graham who in the nick of time for the W.B.A, who currently sadly lacking a local hero, is an amateur prospect with all the necessary qualifications to make the grade in the professional ring after perhaps another year in the amateurs.

When he was 28 his coach told him it was time to stop boxing. Billy left boxing after 18 years in the ring without ever having taken a blow to the head. He now runs the Naenae Boxing Academy in Naenae, New Zealand which has gained recognition from several newspapers.[1]

Honours and awards

In 2011, Graham was named the Local Community Hero of the Year at the New Zealander of the Year awards.[2]

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Graham was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to youth and the community.[3]

References
  1. "A Force For Good". Sunday Star Times.
  2. "Local hero turns boys into champion men". New Zealand Herald. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. "Queen's Birthday honours list 2020". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
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